MMA News
Jorge Masvidal says he's not waiting for a potential Nick Diaz fight
Cole Shelton - December 9, 2019
James Gallagher calls Nick Diaz interview "scary", urges him to stay retired
Natasha Hooper - December 9, 2019
Bellator fighter James Gallagher hopes Nick Diaz stays in retirement for good as he found his recent interview concerning. Diaz sat down for an interview with Ariel Helwani last month and hinted at a possible Octagon return against Jorge Masvidal (to avenge his younger brother’s recent loss.) As Nick Diaz is a figurehead of the sport that many younger fighters look up to, his demeanour was a cause for concern for the young Irishman. Gallagher said (transcript via Metro News):
Mike Perry warns Kamaru Usman to watch out for Colby Covington’s distracting smooches
Natasha Hooper - December 9, 2019
Mike Perry hasn’t been holding back recently, and that includes vocalizing his particular disdain for UFC wrestlers. “Platinum” first called out “bum” Ben Askren this week, and now he mocks Colby Covington for “smooching” his opponents. The welterweight sent words of warning to Kamaru Usman, the division’s current champion. Usman is scheduled to defend his title for the first time against Colby Covington in the main event of UFC 245. However, Perry believes Covington will be delivering a smooch-fest rather than a punch-fest in the welterweight headliner. He took to Instagram and said:
Cody Stamann reacts to controversial UFC DC draw, plans to appeal
Mike Heck - December 9, 2019
One of the fights fans were looking forward to seeing most on Saturday night at UFC on ESPN 7 was a bantamweight fight between Cody Stamann and Song Yadong. While the fight featured a solid game plan from Stamann against a 2-1 favored opponent in the dangerous Yadong, it was mired in controversy following the reading of the judges score cards. Stamann, along with many members of the MMA community, believed he had done enough to get the nod against Yadong. However, one judge scored it for Stamann, while the others scored it an even 28-28 to lead to a majority draw — the first of two draws on the night.
Colby Covington makes promise to Donald Trump ahead of UFC 245
Tom Taylor - December 9, 2019
Top UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington is an outspoken Donald Trump supporter, and even met the United States President after a 2018 interim title win over Rafael dos Anjos. As Covington makes his final preparations for his UFC 245-headlining welterweight title fight with undisputed champion Kamaru Usman, which goes down this Saturday in Las Vegas, he’s decided to promise Trump another UFC title win.
Tyron Woodley on fighting at UFC London: 'F**k That'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 9, 2019
Don’t expect Tyron Woodley to compete on the UFC London card. Woodley hasn’t competed since March when he lost the UFC welterweight title to Kamaru Usman. “The Chosen One” was scheduled to meet Robbie Lawler in a rematch back in June, but Woodley had to be pulled due to an injury. While the former 170-pound champion says he wants to return to action soon, he doesn’t want to fight in London.
Former UFC title challenger Thiago Alves issues statement after latest loss
Tom Taylor - December 9, 2019
Over the weekend, on the undercard of the UFC’s latest stop in Washington, D.C., former UFC welterweight title challenger Thiago Alves suffered a tough, submission loss to Tim Means. It was his fourth loss in his last five fights. Speaking on Instagram on Sunday, Alves issued a poignant statement on this latest setback.
Johnny Walker considering move to Tristar Gym to work with Firas Zahabi
Adam Martin - December 9, 2019
UFC light heavyweight prospect Johnny Walker is considering a move to Tristar gym for his next camp to work with renowned head coach Firas Zahabi. Walker is scheduled to fight Nikita Krylov next March in Brasilia, Brazil in a fight that he needs to win. After getting knocked out in devastating and shocking fashion to Corey Anderson at UFC 244, Walker needs to bounce back with a win over Krylov or else risk getting lost in the shuffle at 205lbs.
Daniel Cormier believes Miocic trilogy fight could be a ways off
Tom Taylor - December 9, 2019
Daniel Cormier and Stipe Miocic are currently 1-1 across two previous fights, and the expectation is that they’ll meet in a tie-breaking trilogy fight in the near future. The date for this trilogy fight, however, is still a mystery. Speaking to MMA Junkie, Cormier shed a bit of light on the timeframe for this fight. He believes that, as the UFC’s calendar for the first quarter of 2020 is filling up, there might not be time for his tie-breaker with Miocic until at least June.
Ali Abdelaziz teases Tito Ortiz vs. Rashad Evans trilogy fight
Adam Martin - December 9, 2019
MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz is teasing a potential trilogy fight between UFC Hall of Famers Tito Ortiz and Rashad Evans, asking fans if they want the two legends to run it back for a third time. Abdelaziz, the manager for several of MMA’s biggest stars including Khabib Nurmagomedov, Henry Cejudo, and Frankie Edgar, took to social media on Monday to poll fans if they want to see a rematch between Ortiz and Evans. Abdelaziz is also the manager of Evans.
Alexander Volkanovski believes he'll finish Max Holloway, send him up to lightweight
Cole Shelton - December 9, 2019
Alexander Volkanovski believes he will be the first person to defeat Max Holloway in a title fight at featherweight. Hawaii’s Holloway has looked unstoppable at 145 pounds but when he tried his luck at lightweight, Dustin Poirier appeared to be too powerful a foe.
What's next for Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Alistair Overeem after UFC DC?
Cole Shelton - December 9, 2019
Jairzinho Rozenstruik was looking to cement himself as a top-10 heavyweight in the main event of UFC Washington D.C. In the US capital, the Surinamese knockout artist was taking on Alistair Overeem, who was looking to climb his way up to another title shot. In the end, Rozenstruik knocked Overeem out with just four seconds left in the fifth and final round to remain undefeated.
Jorge Masvidal lays out his retirement plans
Tom Taylor - December 9, 2019
2019 has been a huge year for Jorge Masvidal. He intends to keep that momentum going in 2020, win the UFC welterweight title, and retire in then next three years. Masvidal laid out his retirement plans in an interview with MMA Mania.
Tito Ortiz updates on what's next after Combate Americas win
Tom Taylor - December 9, 2019
Over the weekend, former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz picked up a blowout, submission victory over former WWE star Alberto Del Rio. The bout headlined Combate Americas’ first foray onto pay-per-view. With this victory, Ortiz moved onto a three-fight win-streak, having beaten former UFC talents Chuck Liddell and Chael Sonnen in his next most recent fights. While the 44-year-old has unsuccessfully retired several times previously, it doesn’t sound like he has any desire to stop now.
VIDEO | Watch Alistair Overeem’s lip explode in slow motion at UFC DC
Natasha Hooper - December 9, 2019
UFC Washington went down on Saturday night at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. In the main event, Alistair Overeem faced Jairzinho Rozenstruik in a heavyweight showdown. Overeem was originally scheduled to fight Walt Harris, but due to the tragic circumstances regarding Walt Harris’ stepdaughter, that original matchup was cancelled. Rozenstruik filled in for Harris to face Overeem. The decision would prove to be the right one for Rozenstruik as he finished Overeem with a punches in the final seconds of round five.
Colby Covington claims UFC was going to release him before he cut 'filthy animals' promo in Brazil
Adam Martin - December 8, 2019
UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington claims the UFC was planning on releasing him before he cut his famous ‘filthy animals’ promo in Brazil. In October 2017, Covington fought Demian Maia in Sao Paulo, Brazil in what was the biggest fight of his career at the time. Covington defeated Maia via decision that night and then went on a verbal tirade during his post-fight interview, calling Brazilians “filthy animals” and saying the country was “a dump.”
TJ Dillashaw shows bulked up physique as he continues MMA training
Natasha Hooper - December 8, 2019
TJ Dillashaw appears to have put on some serious muscle mass as showcased in a recent Instagram snap. The former two-time bantamweight champion hasn’t fought since January 2019, when he was defeated at the hands of Henry Cejudo in a flyweight bout. The current champion finished him with a shocking 32 second TKO in the first round. In April, Dillashaw was handed a two-year suspension after it was revealed he tested positive for EPO use. As a result, he was stripped of his bantamweight title and has been out of action ever since.
Michael Page booked to return at Bellator Japan
Adam Martin - December 8, 2019
Bellator welterweight star Michael Page has been booked to take on Shinsho Anzai at the promotion’s New Year’s Eve event in Japan. Bellator officially announced this weekend that Page vs. Anzai will take place at Bellator & Rizin: Japan, set for Saturday, December 28 at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. The fight will take place at a catchweight of 173lbs.
Jorge Masvidal says Floyd Mayweather boxing match would be bigger money fight than Conor McGregor in MMA
Adam Martin - December 8, 2019
UFC welterweight superstar Jorge Masvidal admits that an MMA fight against Conor McGregor would be big, but he says a boxing match against Floyd Mayweather would be even bigger. UFC president Dana White said this week that McGregor hopes to fight Masvidal next after he fights Donald Cerrone at UFC 246. On paper, a superfight between Masvidal and McGregor would appear to be the biggest fight the UFC could book at the moment.